The document Still Falling Through the Cracks analyzes the inequalities in the Latinx community when it comes to education. Using samples from primarily California based schools, such as the LAUSD and California Community Colleges, the authors reveal to us a variety of statistics that illustrate and active trend in academic progression from the Latinx community. The documentary Precious Knowledge presents the viewer with an insider look to into at-risk school programs in the Southwest US. that teaches students on Chicanx and Latinx history. We are additionally given a view on the benefits these programs have towards students, especially to Chicanos. Both materials demonstrate a severe problem within the Latinx community. Latino children aren’t seeking higher education. We see this is because of the system set in place in schools that both inhibit student progression, through suspensions and lack of “gifted” recognition among others, and prevent them to from utilizing ethnic studies courses, to actively engage with their history. The reading gives us a good sense of how the current system prevents academic progression among Latinx students. The authors provide claims that state how incorporating ethnic studies courses into a curriculum could lead to improvements in student engagement as well as expose them to higher education. In the documentary, we get to see more clearly. The students in these ethnic studies courses are actively engaged in discussions about their roots. This is often brought to life by an instructor who shows passion and dedication to the subject. The reading highlights the importance of having adequately trained instructors to teach these topics. I find this topic to be something that I have seen firsthand. Coming from a majority Latino school, it was easy to see they lack a push factor towards Latino students to pursue higher educations. Looking at the graphs presented in the document surprises me, since a lot of Latino students who go to school are told by their parents that they should pursue higher education to not end up like them. Even with a strong push factor coming from parents, Latino students still are choosing not to graduate. The system continues to pull students away from reaching higher education, by continuing to make it difficult to get in more college level classes and the inclusion of trade skills in curriculum.
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